Beyond technique: Ashraful focuses on the mental side

After more than a decade, former Bangladesh captain and arguably the most naturally gifted batter the country has ever produced, Mohammad Ashraful, is set to return to the national setup but in a different role. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed him as the specialist batting coach for the upcoming home series against Ireland this month. Few understand Bangladesh's persistent batting woes better than Ashraful. In an interview with The Daily Star's Bishwajit Roy, he shared his thoughts on his new role.

On his appointment

It's undoubtedly an exciting and proud moment for me. I've played for and captained the national side, and now I'm returning as a coach. That's very special. I completed my Level-3 coaching certification three years ago and gained experience through roles in the DPL, BPL, and NCL. My stint with Rangpur Riders, in particular, gave me valuable insights. But working with the national team is a completely different challenge; every move will be under scrutiny.

On the challenges ahead

The expectations are higher than ever, and results are what matter. But I'm optimistic because I'll be working with players I know well -- experienced names like Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mushfiqur Rahim, who've all spent over a decade in international cricket.

On his goals and Bangladesh's batting issues

My main focus will be on the mental side of batting. At this level, there's little scope to change a player's technique. In my view, technique isn't our biggest issue, it's the mental side of the game. We often lack game understanding and awareness, which is why our batters get good starts but fail to convert them. This has been a persistent problem since my playing days. To build a strong batting unit, players must think for themselves -- develop individual game plans and read match situations better. My experience playing in England taught me the value of understanding your game. Talent alone doesn't guarantee success if you don't understand your own game and can't read the game. Take Litton's recent T20I innings or Soumya's [Sarkar] knock against West Indies -- both show lapses in game awareness. Mushfiqur Rahim, on the other hand, succeeds because of his discipline and cricketing intelligence.

On bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket

The biggest question in our cricket is why players fail to carry their domestic form into the international arena. Again, it comes down to game awareness and individual planning. Domestic and international cricket may look similar, but the standard is vastly different. At the top level, you face five quality bowlers on challenging surfaces. You must adapt quickly and understand your game deeply. Many players fail because they treat international matches like domestic ones. It's crucial to know when to take risks and when to hold back. If you're always chasing runs without reading the game, you'll struggle. That's the area I want to address -- helping players think smarter and respond better to match situations.